[JamesI]

Hi All,

I'm going for my filter interview next week and I want to know what would be a good reply to the question why would you like to be an Officer and not an airman? It's a simple question I know but I don't want to give a waffling answer or one that I think sounds great but actually just makes me sound like the wrong guy.

For instance the same question comes up when applying for medicine. I want to help people covers both nurses and Drs and answering because the pay's great is definitely the wrong answer.

What I guess I'm really asking is what makes an Officer's role so different to an Airman's role.

I do truly believe I have the leadership qualities and would excel in an officer role I'm just unsure how to answer this one question.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

James

[DarkWhite]

http://www.army.mod.uk/join/20165.aspx

Not specifically airman, but same sort of gist.

[Drewski]

(Original post by JamesI)
x

Not being flippant, but do a search, the question's been answered numerous times, but probably not that recently, though the answers are still valid.

[jacet]

(Original post by JamesI)
I want to know what would be a good reply to the question why would you like to be an Officer and not an airman? It's a simple question I know but I don't want to give a waffling answer or one that I think sounds great but actually just makes me sound like the wrong guy.

Well why do you? You clearly have an opinion on the matter, are you worried that you're doing it for the wrong reasons?

What I guess I'm really asking is what makes an Officer's role so different to an Airman's role.

No offense but if you're at the filter interview stage you should really know what you want to be doing and how that relates to the role you have applied for!

[craglyboy]

(Original post by JamesI)
Hi All,

I'm going for my filter interview next week and I want to know what would be a good reply to the question why would you like to be an Officer and not an airman? It's a simple question I know but I don't want to give a waffling answer or one that I think sounds great but actually just makes me sound like the wrong guy.

For instance the same question comes up when applying for medicine. I want to help people covers both nurses and Drs and answering because the pay's great is definitely the wrong answer.

What I guess I'm really asking is what makes an Officer's role so different to an Airman's role.

I do truly believe I have the leadership qualities and would excel in an officer role I'm just unsure how to answer this one question.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

James

You really need to be able to answer that yourself, it's not an answer anyone else can give you. You also need to think what it takes to become an officer because that will come up too.

[JamesI]

(Original post by DarkWhite)
http://www.army.mod.uk/join/20165.aspx

Not specifically airman, but same sort of gist.

Thanks for the link, it's the kind of thing I'm looking for.

As for all the slightly unhelpful comments I believe this is the most important question in the interview and wanted to hear some general opinions. In my mind this is the one to nail no matter what so I am taking the precaution of asking around rather than assuming I know best. The problem is from what I've seen is that Airman too are highly motivated and tough guys who know their jobs inside out and do it to an incredibly high standard. All that I'm reading has been blurring the line somewhat between Officer and Airman. I am interested to hear what people believe the RAF are looking for as defining qualities that separate Officer from Airman.

I've looked around the site but nothing quite gets to the point, like I'm after, or maybe I'm just using the wrong search terms.

[craglyboy]

There is a page specifically on the RAF website which goes through what qualities they want from an officer. The question why would you like to be an officer is only yours to answer they don't want a coined phrase or a cliche cause they will just turn off.

[ProStacker]

(Original post by JamesI)
nothing quite gets to the point, like I'm after, or maybe I'm just using the wrong search terms.

Perhaps the answer is not at the end of a search on the internet. You have been told that this is for you to answer, but you see those responses as unhelpful. You will find most of those people have been where you are now and indeed may well have been successful. Perhaps this should tell you something.

[brackens]

To give you an example, my answer to this question at filter interview was that I wanted to ability to influence and improve my subordinates careers and although as a junior officer I know i wouldn't be able to change to world I would be able to improve some of the areas i have seen whilst serving as a airman. The self motivated attitudes of most officers also tends to lead to a more varied social life outside of work and thats something that also appealed.

These are just a couple of the reasons i want to become and officer but they are MY reasons not the book answers and thats what matters.

Just try and have a think what it is that appeals...travel, responsibility, variety of the role, influence, management etc etc

[Tommmo]

The question is looking for an opinion, no amount of searching on the internet or asking people on forums will find you the answer. I'm afraid you have to actually think for yourself on this one and answer the question with a key word highlighted:

"What are your reasons for wanting to become an Officer?"

[UpsidedownLandMan]

For my Navy one, I said (and I quote) "Because Officers have better hats."
There was some other stuff in there too though.

[Tommmo]

(Original post by UpsidedownLandMan)
...

That's a fair comment, Rating's hats are particularly awful. I don't think the Village People did the Navy any favours there either.

[AirPower]

I suppose a model answer for that question would involve mentioning your eagerness to lead and motivate others etc. But as already said above, it's quite a personal question and I'm sure everyone's answer will be different!

[Ikaruss]

Well James, how did you answer THAT question at the filter interview?
Have you heard back from the AFCO yet?

Halton,

I suppose a model answer for that question would involve mentioning your eagerness to lead and motivate others etc.

Theoretically that would certainly form part of your answer - practically, in todays Armed Forces, very best of luck with that! I field many many questions from former colleagues (Officers, WO and SNCO) who are actively seeking any route out of the RAF. They see no future for themselves (and I'm afraid I tend to agree with them) in the military and do not wish to waste another second when they could be forging another worthwhile career for themselves. If you can motivate these sort of people (and the problem is across all services and ranks) then I want you to be my Boss. You would be something very special. The RAF really does need some Leaders who can Lead and have back bone.

At the end of the day, your career is your choice, buddy, but do take off the rose tinted specs and read the so-called serious press Defence sections for daily stories about the sad state of our Armed Forces. It makes me very very sad, but at least I have a nice pension and a large library of good memories.

On a positive side, if the outflow continues, there'll be more and more vacancies coming up soon